Sermons
In Jesus, we learn what God is thinking. As we remember Jesus's story, we remember that God cares about justice, and God cares about mercy and compassion, and God cares about grace. We learned that God isn't just interested with the rich and the powerful, but God is close to those that we sinfully dispose of and push to the margins. God cares about them and God gets close to them.
Listen to or read Bingham’s entire sermon for the Sunday after Christmas by clicking “Read More.”
Merry Christmas! Our Advent journey has come to its end. We have arrived in Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph to welcome the birth of their son Jesus. Like the Shepherds, we have come to the manger to see this thing that has taken place. Whatever preparations we need to get done during Advent in order to celebrate Christmas--time's up. It's here. What has been done has been done, what has not been done has not been done. It's time to let it all go and simply savor this moment.
Listen to or read Bingham’s entire sermon for Christmas Eve 2021 by clicking “Read More.”
“The Magi are on the move. Today is the 10th day of Christmas, and the Magi continue their journey to Bethlehem. In my creche collection that I told you about and shared with you on Christmas Eve, about 15 of them include Magi. The Magi spend most of the Advent and Christmas seasons journeying around the house, searching for their respective creche scenes in the living room. A few of the toy ones peel off from the caravan from time to time, but most of them stay together as a group. There are a dozen groups right here on my bookshelf. They have made quite the detour to join us for today’s sermon. The Magi will return to their appropriate creches on Wednesday, January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany, the day we commemorate and celebrate their arrival. Our American tradition is that the stockings and the presents come on Christmas Day from Santa. But that is not a worldwide phenomenon, even among Christians.”
Click “Read More” to read or listen to Bingham’s entire sermon for the Second Sunday after Christmas.
Today’s reading from Isaiah speaks of rejoicing. The reading is taken from two consecutive chapters. If you don’t have the text in front of you, it’s hard for you to realize that, just from hearing the reading. In Chapter 61, verses 10 and 11, Isaiah rejoices in the Lord, for the Lord has clothed him with garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness, like a bridegroom decked with garlands or a bride adorned with jewels. A garden springs up, and praise springs up from the nations. The Word of God, Jesus, is like those gifts, as fine as jewels, as fine as a beautiful garden, and worthy of our praise and rejoicing. We can acknowledge with gratitude that we have been given a wonderful gift from God. End of Chapter 61.
Click “Read More” to read or listen to Deacon Nancy Crawford’s entire sermon.
"Theologically, the creche tradition is a beautiful visual representation of Incarnation. Yes, God became flesh in a particular time and place over 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, but scripture reminds us, scripture teaches us that the Christ is not limited only to that one particular moment, place, and time. Christ is Incarnate in our particularities, as well. Christ is with us as a baby in Peru, or an infant in Kenya."
Click “Read More” to read or listen to Bingham's entire sermon. You can also watch the sermon in the Solemn service on our Christmas page: www.saint-marys.org/christmas
Traditionally, our 5 PM Christmas Eve service includes a Christmas Carol Sing-Along before the service. This year, we made that sing-along virtual. Fred Crafts introduces each song. There is a bulletin on our Christmas page: www.saint-marys.org/christmas if you'd like to see the lyrics to sing along.
Click “Read More” to listen along.
